burning like matchsticks in the face of the darkness

[LJ kept refusing to let the update go through last night, so, posting this morning.]

Sun. Dec. 30, 2012

As it turned out, the blacktop of College Ave. was well-cleared, so I actually could have biked to church -- avoiding the whole "walking in the street" issue as the sidewalks were only intermittently cleared until about midway into Tufts campus (though there weren't many vehicles on the road, so I didn't feel unsafe) -- but I opted not to turn around and get my bike (in part because I had just chatted with Joan across the street about the fact that I wasn't biking today -- apparently she sees me biking a lot ... and is glad I wear a helmet).

It was after sunset that I came home, but the sidewalks didn't feel too dangerous to me, so I probably could have biked home fine, too (and there was even, to my surprise, enough clearing for me to have parked my bike where I normally park it across the street from morning church).

***

Unison Prayer of Confession

God,

You are big open love that knows no boundaries
And that can be hard on us.
Honestly, it would be easier to keep track of You if You were a little smaller,
A little less mobile.

You are everywhere,
But that includes so many places that we'd rather not be and we'd prefer that
You kept away from them too.
When you go there, it's hard for us to follow.

You are a wide-open welcome,
But we'd be more comfortable if you could be a little more selective -- just to keep things simple.
It's just a tough job, working a room as big as Yours, and it can make us feel small and lost.

You sent Jesus to us to help sort things out.
If we get confused, he said, just love one another.
Really, we'd like to know, what's so simple about that?

God, we can get lost in your big open love.
And not know how to find You.
Help us to stop trying to make You smaller so that our faith might feel bigger.
Be with us as we follow you into a world without walls.

***

"Joy Sadhana is a daily practice in the observation of joy."
-mylittleredgirl [more info]

After three days, Mary and Joseph found Jesus in the Temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Jesus were amazed at Jesus' answers and understanding.
-Luke 2:46-47 (NRSV, alt.)

( joy sadhana )